Superman-cape handover: Li Ka-shing

① Unlike many of Asia's greying tycoons, Hong Kong's most celebrated dealmaker has been preparing for today for years.

② When Mr Li steps down as chairman of CK Hutchison, after the annual general meeting of the ports-to-perfume conglomerate, most expect a seamless transition.

③ His eldest son Victor Li, who has worked for the company since the 1990s, was anointed his successor in 2012.

④ A few years later his father shook up his sprawling empire—some think with the handover in mind.

⑤ And at a press conference in March announcing his withdrawal, the 89-year-old Mr Li frequently interrupted his son to field questions himself.

⑥ Superman, as Hong Kongers call him for his financial acumen, is unlikely to fly off into the sunset.

⑦ He says he wants to focus on his charitable foundation, to which he has pledged one-third of his $34bn fortune: "I will don a new battle suit."

▍生词好句

cape /keɪp/: n. 斗篷；披风

handover /ˈhandəʊvə/: n. 移交

greying /ˈɡreɪɪŋ/: adj. 正在变老的；花白色的

tycoon /tʌɪˈkuːn/: n.（商业）大亨

celebrated /ˈsɛlɪbreɪtɪd/: adj. 著名的

conglomerate /kənˈɡlɒm(ə)rət/: n. 大型集团

seamless transition /ˈsiːmləs/: 无缝过渡/转换

anoint /əˈnɔɪnt/: vt. 指定……为继承人；涂油使……神圣化

successor /səkˈsɛsə/: n. 继承人

sprawling /ˈsprɔːlɪŋ/: adj. 复杂的；蔓延的

press conference: 新闻发布会

withdrawal /wɪðˈdrɔː(ə)l/: n. 退出；退休

field /fiːld/: vt. 应付；应对问题

acumen /ˈakjʊmən, əˈkjuːmən/: n. 敏锐；精明

pledge /plɛdʒ/: vt. 许诺；承诺

don /dɒn/: vt. 披上；穿上

▍补充

1. tycoon

Jack Ma is an e-commerce tycoon.

2. grey

The population is getting old.

The population is greying.

3. 公司

事务所 firm

公司（通称）company

集团 corporate/group

财团 consortium

大型集团 conglomerate

4. field

He fielded the questions skillfully.